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I was laid off from my secretarial job at a government agency due to cutbacks. Being north of 40, I’m finding it a bit scary looking for work in this economic climate, and competing with younger candidates with more current skills. I know I should take some refresher courses, but I still need to find work in the meantime. Any advice?

Have you considered moving to the US, where the current government doesn’t know the meaning of cutbacks?

Fear not, my friend, a job search doesn’t have to be scary; it can provide exciting new opportunities. While how far “north of 40” you are could have an impact (are we talking Canada? The North Pole?), biological age matters less than how you act and what you project. And remember — experience is a strength, particularly for a secretary. Search by day, take courses by night to brush up on skills and you’ll be back in the game before you know it. Good luck.

I don’t need to “follow my passion” or “do what I love.” I love other things in my life and it’s enough — I just need a job to enjoy them. I was laid off from my last position as a contractor over a year ago. I don’t have a college degree and I don’t like to be bossed around. What options should I consider?

I never wanted this for you. I work my whole life to take care of my family. But I refused to dance like a fool on the end of a string held by all those big shots . . . I don’t apologize . . . That’s my life. But I thought when it was your time, you’d be the one to hold the string . . . Senator Corleone . . . Governor Corleone. Well, there wasn’t enough time, Michael, there wasn’t enough time.

OK, outside of channeling “The Godfather,” I don’t know how to answer your question. You don’t want a boss and you don’t have a degree. That narrows the options considerably. But having a boss and being bossed around aren’t necessarily the same thing. You are limited only by the constraints you place on yourself. You can go back to school, get retraining, drive a cab, become a handyman for hire, wait tables, become a doctor, play one on TV, be a dental hygienist, a hair dresser . . . senator, governor. I don’t know. What do you want to do?